Internet issues - important protection issues

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Internet issues - important protection issues

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Posted by: Moderators - 9/23/2004 (9:23 p.m.)

Several people that frequent boards concerning mortgage servicing fraud have

been reporting repeated and sustained attempts to invade their systems.

Firewalls are reporting Trojans and other data miner objects attempting to

breach the computers.

 

There are some defensive programs available as freeware that can help

bolster the lines of defense for individual users. The Anonymizer site has a

browser test that will tell you your weak spots. (Amazingly enough, this

test was even able to see what was last pasted to the clipboard in IE!)

 

Up-to-date virus protection is a must. An up-to-date firewall is also a must

especially if you aren't on a large-scale dial up Internet provider.

 

This writer will assume those are already in place on everyone's system. If

not, we will assume that you enjoy living on the edge and reformatting your

computer a lot.

 

One of the best lines of defense for some users who have total control of

their own systems is to switch to another browser when web surfing. Mozilla

has just released its new version of Firefox 1.0PR.

 

Opera is available, and Netscape. Most browser exploits involve IE at this

time and there is more security almost anywhere else. You may encounter some

difficulty with a few sites that are specifically scripted for IE, but it is

not difficult to switch default browsers in Windows XP. (This site works and

looks fine in Firefox).

 

If you are using Windows XP, get the Windows XP Service Pack 2 ASAP. If it

is not yet available for general use from the Windows Update Page, it can be

downloaded from the IT management site at Microsoft now (this download can

be saved to your HDD and burned to disk for reinstallation if the worst

happens, avoiding the necessity of having to re-download it later.):

 

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx

 

There are some freeware programs that can help. This site is not endorsing

them just making their existence known and the links available. These are

stable releases and you should encounter no problems, but in computerland

the standard disclaimers apply.

 

Keep in mind that for every fix published the opponents on the other side

will have resources working to make new hacks and intrustions, so don't sit

still and assume your system is safe. Make part of your computer routine a

thorough security scan.

 

Spyware Blaster 3.2 from Javacool can help block much of the malware, never

allowing it in: (after downloading, update and enable all protection. Must

be manually updated w/o subscription):

 

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

 

If something does manage to get in around the firewall, anti-virus, service

packs, and Spyware Blaster, A Squared Free can help with removal. This

program will detect worms, viruses, Trojans, and the sneaky dialers that get

installed into people's systems. While not as well known yet as Spybot S & D

it can be downloaded here (again, update immediately after downloading. Must

be updated manually):

 

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/

 

Then there is Bazooka! Very fast scanner with an online encyclopedia to help

you manually remove any " nasties " found. This one will also tell you if

certain Windows programs are broadcasting any unique ID numbers.

 

http://www.kephyr.com/index.phtml

 

Keeping the bad guys out is a chore. To keep them out effectively, it seems

that multiple layers of protection are necessary. What one program does not

see, another might.

 

Another site you need to consider if you have the technical skills to make

it useful is:

www.atelierweb.com/pta/ If you really are into the nitty gritty of net

traffic their ports traffic analyzer tool will let you see not only the

active processes in your system (some that don't show up under task manager)

that communicate with other sites on the web, but even all the bytes of

traffic that go back and forth.

 

Self-defense is going to have to become a priority for all of us.

 

The companies that do not like to be exposed have not only legal resources,

but technical resources to attack their opponents.

 

Moderator note: Our thanks to Arky Girl for spearheading this effort and to

an anonymous technogeek for interesting contributions!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://vanokat.wholefoodfarmacy.com/

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS -

NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

Have nothing to do with the evil deeds of darkness,

but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11

" For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,

against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the

spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. " (Eph. 6:12).